North Carolina Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

A North Carolina divorce record is a legal document that details the terms of ending a marriage. Divorce records include information that may be used to enforce court rulings on custody and visitation, child and spousal support, and the division of debts and assets. These records also serve as legal proof of the former spouses' marital status when remarrying or updating a name on financial accounts, passports, or with the Social Security Administration.

In North Carolina, the divorce rate stood at 2.7 per 1,000 population in 2022 and 2023, compared to the notable decline from 3.2 to 2.7 between 2021 and 2022 (a drop of 0.5 per 1,000).

North Carolina divorce records consist of divorce certificates and divorce decrees (or judgments). Eligible persons may obtain these documents from custodian agencies at the state and local levels, but access rules and procedures may vary by jurisdiction and record type.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in North Carolina

Divorce records in North Carolina may be broadly classified as follows:

Divorce Certificate

A divorce certificate is a legal document that provides basic details of the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties, the party initiating the divorce proceedings (plaintiff and defendant), the date of marriage and separation, and other relevant information. A divorce certificate typically serves as proof that a marriage was dissolved, without revealing the whole court order.

In North Carolina, the Vital Records maintains and issues certified copies of divorce certificates from 1958 to the present. Divorce records that predate 1958 may be obtained from the Clerk of Courts in the county where the divorce was filed.

Divorce Decree

A divorce decree (also referred to as a divorce judgment) is a comprehensive legal document that contains all case materials and the court's decision on a dissolved marriage. This document typically outlines all the agreed-upon terms of a divorce, including child support, alimony, property division, insurance coverage, financial obligations, custody arrangements, and other relevant details.

To obtain certified copies of a divorce decree, eligible parties may contact the Clerk of the Superior Court (within the county's General Court of Justice) that granted the divorce.

Divorce Case File

This is the entire case record, including pleadings, motions, financial affidavits, agreement orders, and the final judgment. Requesters interested in obtaining these documents are expected to contact the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. They may also use the NC Courts online search to find the case and county before requesting certified copies from the clerk's office.

Older case materials may also be accessed through state research portals.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC Vital Records)	Proof of a legal divorce for official uses.	Names of both parties, date of divorce, county of decree, case number (if recorded). Records available from 1958 to the present.
Divorce Decree/ Judgment	Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted	Provides details of the divorce settlement and terms. Used for legal enforcement or personal records.	Complete legal information: parties' names, court name, case number, judge's signature, rulings on property, custody, and support.
Divorce Case File	Clerk of Superior Court (maintains complete record)	Serves as the comprehensive case history; useful for background checks, research, or appeals.	Includes petitions, responses, motions, orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree/judgment.

Public Access and Confidentiality of North Carolina Divorce Records

Per the North Carolina Public Records Act (NCGS Chapter 132), court files, including divorce records, are considered open to the public unless otherwise stated by state law or court order. However, personal information, such as Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers, is inaccessible to the general public under relevant privacy laws (e.g., G.S. § 132-1.10).

Sensitive financial exhibits or details involving minors in a divorce record are expected to be sealed or have their online visibility limited under North Carolina Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c).

Access to Divorce Records

Eligible persons may request copies of divorce certificates from the North Carolina Vital Records Office (from 1958 to the present). The Clerk of Court (who also serves as the Clerk of Superior Court) in the county where a divorce was granted also issues certified copies of divorce certificates and decrees.

Individuals eligible to receive certified copies of divorce certificates include the person themselves (a spouse), close family, an individual seeking information for a legal determination of personal or property rights, or an authorized agent or attorney.

The contact address of the North Carolina Vital Records Office is as follows:

North Carolina Vital Records

What Information Do North Carolina Divorce Records Include?

In North Carolina, the content of a divorce record may vary by county and the type of document (certificate, decree, or case file). However, standard features of a North Carolina divorce record include:

• Complete names of both spouses, including maiden or previous names
• Marriage date and the date the divorce was granted
• Names of the County and the issuing court
• Designated case number given by the clerk of the court
• Grounds for divorce
• Judge's name and signature
• Date the judgment was entered into the record
• Minors' custody and visitation arrangements
• Child support orders and spousal support (if applicable)
• Property division and financial settlement terms
• Name of both parties' attorneys (if represented)
• Court seal and certification statement for official copies

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in North Carolina

Eligible parties may obtain certified copies of North Carolina divorce certificates from the state Vital Records. They may also obtain certified copies of divorce certificates and decrees from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

Requesters may use the eCourts Portal to locate a case and county, and then request copies from the clerk's office. Requesters may also access historical divorce records at the State Archives of North Carolina for research purposes.

The Vital Records Office charges a non-refundable search fee of $24 for each three-year period, which includes one copy if a record is located.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records Section	1958 to present	Certified divorce certificates only	$24 for the first copy, $15 for each additional copy
Clerk of Superior Court	The county courthouse where the divorce was granted	All years	Certified divorce decrees and case files	Varies by county (typically standard court copy fees per page or per certification)
North Carolina Judicial Branch (eCourts Portal)	Online access	Recent cases (varies by county rollout)	Electronic case search for divorce judgments and filings	Free viewing; small printing/download fees may apply
State Archives of North Carolina	State Archives or Library and Historical Collections	Pre-1958 (historical records)	Manual or on-site search of older county court dockets and registers	Minimal copy fees

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in North Carolina

Eligible individuals seeking certified copies of divorce records have two options: through the county court that handled the divorce or through the state's Vital Records office for an official summary (certificate).

The step-by-step process for requesting certified copies of divorce records via the identified channels is outlined as follows:

Step 1. Identify the court where the divorce was finalized.

In North Carolina, the District Court Division of the General Court of Justice grants divorces, while the Clerk of Superior Court in that county maintains the decree and case file. Applicants who are unsure which county to send their request to may search for the case on the North Carolina eCourts Portal or contact the NC Vital Records office for assistance in identifying the correct county.

Step 2. Contact the Clerk's Office.

After finding the appropriate county, eligible requesters may contact the Clerk of Superior Court to request a certified copy of the divorce decree. They may submit their requests in person, by mail (submit a written request with payment and identification), or online (if the county offers digital access or mail-in requests). Requesters are expected to verify the business hours, fees, and accepted payment methods, as these may vary from one county to another.

Step 3. Provide the necessary details.

When submitting a record request, applicants are expected to provide:

• Full legal names of both spouses
• Approximate date of divorce (month/year if possible)
• County or case number (if available)
• Return address and valid photo ID (for mail orders)

The availability of these details helps the clerk locate requested files efficiently.

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Payment of court copy fees typically confirms record requests. The clerk's office charges $2 for the first page and an additional $0.25 per page (plain copies) and $3 for a certified copy under seal. Payment methods vary (cash, certified check, or money order; credit cards in some counties).

Requesting from North Carolina Vital Records (Alternative Option)

Eligible parties may order certified copies of divorce certificates from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Vital Records) for divorces from 1958 to the present. They may order certified copies online (through the state-authorized vendor) or by mail (1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903). Vital Records charges $24 per search (includes one copy if found) and $15 for each additional certified copy.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Divorce Certificate	North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records (state office; online/phone/mail via third-party vendor; in-person by appointment)	Certified copies are limited by NCGS 130A-93(c) to: the person named or their spouse, sibling, direct ancestor/descendant, stepparent/stepchild; a person seeking information for a legal determination of personal or property rights; or an authorized agent/attorney/legal representative.	Official proof of divorce for government/official purposes (e.g., name change, remarriage, apostille).
Certified Divorce Decree/ Judgment	Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted (request in person or by contacting the clerk's office)	Court records are generally public; the Judicial Branch states that requesters may obtain a copy of a divorce judgment from the clerk of court for a fee (unless sealed by court order or law).	Enforce or prove the terms of the judgment (property, custody, support); detailed legal record for litigation or compliance.
Uncertified (Informational) Divorce Certificate	NC Vital Records	Anyone may request an uncertified copy; not valid for legal purposes. ID and required data must be provided with the request.	Personal research or genealogy only; not accepted for official/legal use.

Why Search for Divorce Records in North Carolina?

Eligible persons often request North Carolina divorce records for several reasons, including research, legal, and practical purposes. Specific reasons why someone may require a divorce record include the following:

• Legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage and the resulting eligibility for remarriage.
• Divorce records are instrumental in resolving custody or parental rights (or modifying custody arrangements) and child support issues.
• They assist with changing the name on passports, bank accounts, and other documents.
• They provide legal proof and clarity when resolving disputes related to property ownership or financial obligations following a divorce.
• Researchers may employ archival divorce records to document lineages or monitor family histories.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in North Carolina?

Record Type and Retention Location

• Divorce Certificates: The North Carolina Vital Records maintains divorce certificates from 1958 to the present. The county Clerk of Court (where the divorce was finalized) keeps older records.

• Divorce Decrees and Complete Case Files: The Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted maintains divorce decrees and case files. North Carolina law (North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-109) legally requires the Clerk of Superior Court to maintain court records and make them available to the public unless restricted by law.

Retention and Archiving

• The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) provides record custodians (clerks) with record-keeping rules and schedules for the transfer (to the State Archives) of records that possess permanent retention requirements. Destruction or transfer of records only occurs under these approved schedules.
• The State Archives provides guidance for transferring electronic records identified for permanent retention into its custody (under the approved schedule) and maintains those archival records on a long-term basis via the North Carolina Digital Repository.

• Clerks use an official transfer process. This involves a specific "Request for Approval for Transfer of Clerk of Superior Court Archival Records" form that lists the particular record type and the matching rule under the state's record retention schedule. By utilizing this form, the clerk confirms that those records are marked as permanent and are being properly transferred to the State Archives for long-term preservation.